Gasoline consumption in the United States transportation sector amounts to around 8.5 million barrels per day. In 2023, gasoline consumption increased, while distillate fuel oil (diesel) consumption noted a decrease. Gasoline consumption is close to three times higher than diesel consumption, the latter amounting to less than three million barrels per day.
Energy demand in the transportation sector
The transportation sector, which includes public and personal transportation by road vehicles, airplanes, trains and ships, is the second-largest energy-consuming sector in the United States. The majority of energy consumed in this sector is derived from petroleum or crude oil. However, thanks to government incentives,annual biofuel consumption in the U.S. has also increased to over 1.6 billion gallons.
Consumption of motor fuels remains steady amid lower car sales
Distillate fuel can be used as either fuel oil or diesel fuel. The figures indicate that gasoline is still the most popular transportation fuel in the U.S. Gasoline and diesel consumption has stayed relatively constant over the last two decades, whereas U.S. car sales have notably decreased since 2014.
Consumption of motor gasoline and distillate fuel oil by the transportation sector in the United States in selected years from 1950 to 2023
(in 1,000 barrels per day)
Distillate fuel oil: Beginning in 2009, includes renewable diesel fuel (including biodiesel) blended into distillate fuel oil. Gasoline: Finished motor gasoline; these figures include fuel ethanol blended into motor gasoline.
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EIA. (March 26, 2024). Consumption of motor gasoline and distillate fuel oil by the transportation sector in the United States in selected years from 1950 to 2023 (in 1,000 barrels per day) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 19, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/189410/us-gasoline-and-diesel-consumption-for-highway-vehicles-since-1992/
EIA. "Consumption of motor gasoline and distillate fuel oil by the transportation sector in the United States in selected years from 1950 to 2023 (in 1,000 barrels per day)." Chart. March 26, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 19, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/189410/us-gasoline-and-diesel-consumption-for-highway-vehicles-since-1992/
EIA. (2024). Consumption of motor gasoline and distillate fuel oil by the transportation sector in the United States in selected years from 1950 to 2023 (in 1,000 barrels per day). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 19, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/189410/us-gasoline-and-diesel-consumption-for-highway-vehicles-since-1992/
EIA. "Consumption of Motor Gasoline and Distillate Fuel Oil by The Transportation Sector in The United States in Selected Years from 1950 to 2023 (in 1,000 Barrels per Day)." Statista, Statista Inc., 26 Mar 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/189410/us-gasoline-and-diesel-consumption-for-highway-vehicles-since-1992/
EIA, Consumption of motor gasoline and distillate fuel oil by the transportation sector in the United States in selected years from 1950 to 2023 (in 1,000 barrels per day) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/189410/us-gasoline-and-diesel-consumption-for-highway-vehicles-since-1992/ (last visited December 19, 2024)
Consumption of motor gasoline and distillate fuel oil by the transportation sector in the United States in selected years from 1950 to 2023 (in 1,000 barrels per day) [Graph], EIA, March 26, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/189410/us-gasoline-and-diesel-consumption-for-highway-vehicles-since-1992/
